What did Hillary Clinton say about the torture report?

NEW YORK — Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday she’s proud to have been part of an administration that “banned illegal renditions and brutal interrogations” and said the U.S. should never be involved in torture anywhere in the world. Hillary Clinton spoke out against the use of torture during a Tuesday speech in New York City, strongly condemning the tactics for the first time since the recent release of a Senate Intelligence Committee report on CIA interrogation methods from a decade ago. Clinton said she was “proud” to be part of the Obama administration noting brutal interrogation tactics such as waterboarding were banned with a 2009 executive order. “Yes, the threat of terrorism is real and urgent, scores of children were just murdered in Pakistan, beheadings in the Middle East, a siege in Sydney, these tragedies not only break hearts but should steel our resolve and underscore that our values are what set us apart from our adversaries,” Clinton said.

Clinton said Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968, would agree it’s possible to fight terrorism and reduce crime and violence without relying on torture abroad or unnecessary force at home. Advocates of the report’s release say it’s important to have a full accounting of what went on to make sure the practices don’t happen again, while opponents say it will provide fodder for terrorists around the globe and increase the risk of an attack on the U.S. Clinton’s statements follow an ABC News/Washington Post poll released Tuesday that found almost six in ten Americans believe the CIA’s treatment of suspected terrorists was justified. Providing some hope for the GOP: 71 percent want the next president to take a different approach than President Obama and voters, by a 40 percent to 38 percent margin, want a Republican to win the White House in 2016 over a Democrat. Clinton also spoke about recent unrest following police-related deaths of unarmed black men in Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island, New York, telling attendees “black lives matter,” repeating a phrase used by activists after grand juries failed to indict officers in the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.

The nonprofit says the award is meant to laud business leaders, entertainers and activists who demonstrate commitment to social change and “reflect Robert Kennedy’s passion for equality, justice, basic human rights, and his belief that we all must strive to ‘make gentle the life of this world.”’ She wondered what Kennedy would say about “the thousands of Americans marching in our streets demanding justice for all,” and “the mothers who’ve lost their sons.” “What would he say to all those who have lost trust in our government and our other institutions, who shudder at images of excessive force, who read reports about torture done in the name of our country, who see too many representatives in Washington quick to protect a big bank from regulation but slow to take action to help working families facing ever greater pressure,” Clinton said.

Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who liberal groups are trying to push into the race, and the 51 percent/41 percent split for Vice President Joseph R. The former senator from New York – a title she reminded the audience she shared with Kennedy – said he would remind the nation to “take hold of these challenges, to organize, to legislate and yes to vote… the choices we make matter, policies, politics, priorities matter, but values matter even more,” Clinton received the Robert F. De Niro made a subtle reference to her possible presidential bid, saying, “When we agree that it’s a human right to have reasonable and responsible medical care, we won’t fight about Obamacare, or whatever it will be called,” before pausing to ask: “Hillarycare?” The mere mention received huge cheers from the crowd. Joseph Kennedy, grandson of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, as well as celebrities including America Ferrera, Melanie Griffith, Catherine Keener and Harvey Keitel.